Manufacturing of composites on the aluminum alloys matrix reinforced with fine dispersed ceramic particles
Józef Śleziona, Bolesław Formanek, Jakub Wieczorek, Anna Dolata-Grosz Politechnika Śląska, Wydział Inżynierii Materiałowej, Metalurgii i Transportu, ul. Krasińskiego 8, 40-019 Katowice
Annals 1 No. 2, 2001 pages 180-183
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abstract The method of manufacturing of composites on the Al alloys matrix reinforced with fine ceramic particles about 1 μm diameter has been shown. AlSi, AlMg, and AlCu aluminum alloys as a matrix have been used. The ceramic particles of SiC and Al2O3 diameter about 15 μm (500 mesh) applied. There particles with Al powders mixed and agglomerated in rotary vibration mill obtaining composite powder size less than 300 μm. Fig. 1 shows structure and distribution of ceramic particles in agglomerates, Fig. 2 shows morphology of composite powder. Composite powder containing 20 or 30 vol.% of ceramic particles (SiC or Al2O3) size about 1 μm have been incorporated into liquid aluminum alloy at 720, 750, 780oC preheated. The structure of composite has been shown in Fig. 3 and the example of structure of composite agglomerates which does not dissolved into liquid matrix. To obtaining of the full solubility of agglomerates, the composites re-melted at 780oC and preheated during 1 hour mixing of the suspension. Structure of composite after this treatment is shown in Fig. 5. The rate of homogenization of composite after treatment is ineffective because in the structure of composite the agglomerates and pores are present. Properties of composites obtaining during procedure above are not dissatisfied. Tensile strength of composite is low then matrix but wear resistance is high and coefficient of friction (μ = 0.1) is suitable. To obtaining better properties of composite the homogenization process must be longer then 1 hour and suspension must be still stirred.